THE DEATH OF MUNGO PARK. 
11 
backed by that of every experienced person on the coast, 
is quite the reverse. The different circumstances of 
the two expeditions, must, however, be borne in mind. 
Park and his party, in their long journey by land, 
were exposed to the alternate effects of the deluging 
rain of the tornado, and the scorching heat of a tro- 
pical sun. Whereas nautical expeditions, admitting 
of constant shelter from both, have the full benefit 
of the refreshing effects of the tornado upon the 
atmosphere. There can be no question, but that with 
means of shelter, the rainy season is comparatively 
healthy. 
Having constructed a vessel out of three half-rotten 
canoes, which he called His Majesty’s schooner, Joliba, 
Mungo Park and his remaining companions embarked 
on the 19th of November, 1805, and proceeded down the 
mysterious river, to seek its unknown termination. 
This they never accomplished : unfavourable rumours 
respecting them reached the coast in the course of the 
following year. But notwithstanding the great interest 
felt by the public for this enterprising traveller, it is 
unaccountable that no steps were taken to ascertain the 
truth until 1810, when Colonel Maxwell, then Governor 
of Senegal, dispatched Isaaco — Park’s guide as far as 
Sansanding, and who had brought his last communi- 
cations to the Gambia — with instructions to collect all 
the information he could. Isaaco having met the man 
who had accompanied the schooner as guide and pilot, 
learned from him the fatal truth. They had safely 
